In Austin, Chris Bils notes new Austin FC Sporting Dir Claudio Reyna in his previous role with NYCFC helped land World Cup veterans Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa during the club's inaugural season in '15. While Reyna said that the strategy he took with NYCFC was "more of a necessity in New York with its crowded sports scene and unlimited options for entertainment," he "didn't rule out a splashy signing or two in Austin FC's near future." Reyna: "It's not a priority. It's not something we have to do. But we will explore it" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 12/4).
MAKING IT OFFICIAL: In Salt Lake City, Julie Jag reports Real Salt Lake yesterday "officially dropped the qualifiers in front of the titles" held by Freddy Juarez and Elliot Fall, introducing them as the club's new coach and GM, respectively. Fall has been with the club since '07 and "took over as interim GM in late September after the team parted ways with Craig Waibel shortly after it was revealed that Waibel had been critical" of Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen and "planned to leave the team at the end" of the '19 season. Fall will coordinate with Technical Dir Dan Egner to "handle the business side" of the USL Real Monarchs. Real Salt Lake Exec VP/Soccer Operations Rob Zarkhos said that they will "serve in tandem as GM and the Monarchs will hire an assistant GM" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 12/4).
OF MICE AND MEN: PRO SOCCER USA's Manuel Veth noted Whitecaps coach Marc Dos Santos has been "issued an undisclosed fine for comments criticizing" MLS. The Whitecaps confirmed that the "interview in question was one with The Athletic where Dos Santos criticized the long break between seasons for clubs that have been eliminated prior to the playoffs." Dos Santos said, "Players at the top level, they have three weeks, one month maximum, on break. I'm telling you, three months and a half of a break in a soccer season is Mickey Mouse. It's amateur. It doesn't happen in the world" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 12/3).
SMOOTH TRANSITION: In Memphis, Jason Munz cites a source as saying that recently retired MLS player Tim Howard is "expected to be named" USL Memphis 901 FC GM. An official announcement "will not be made until after Dec. 31 because Howard is still under contract" with MLS. Howard is "already a minority owner of the club" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 12/4).
